Turkish Migrants Paid $12K to Cross Mexico-Texas Border, Seeking Sponsor in New Jersey

In a significant development, Texas state troopers uncovered a group of 36 illegal immigrants near the southern border, with a particular focus on a contingent from Turkey. Disturbingly, these individuals revealed that they each paid a staggering $12,000 to cross the border unlawfully in pursuit of connecting with a "sponsor" in New Jersey.

Location and Multinational Presence

The troopers made this discovery in Normandy, a border town, as reported by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Among the migrants were individuals hailing from Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and South Africa. A total of 15 individuals from these nations were apprehended on suspicion of criminal trespass.

Special Interest Migrants

Among the apprehended individuals were migrants from Turkey, Pakistan, India, and Vietnam, classified as "special interest" illegal immigrants. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defines special interest migrants as non-U.S. citizens whose travel patterns potentially pose a national security risk to the U.S. or its interests. It's important to note that this designation does not label these individuals as "terrorists," but rather indicates a need for further screening and investigation due to potential links to nefarious activities, including terrorism, based on their travel and behavior.

Recent Incidents and Trends

DPS Lt. Chris Olivarez reported on social media that, in the last 48 hours, 8 special interest immigrants from 5 different countries were encountered in the rural Normandy area. Of the 36 migrants apprehended, 21 were subsequently transferred to U.S. Border Patrol.

Alleged Sponsorship Network

Among the Turkish migrants, a 26-year-old man disclosed to authorities that they had discovered a "network" on Telegram and Instagram that facilitated their illegal crossing into the U.S. He further revealed that they had secured a "sponsor" in New Jersey, indicating that their expenses were covered while they were in the U.S. legally, as captured on the DPS bodycam footage.

This incident underscores the challenges law enforcement agencies face in addressing illegal immigration and potential national security risks at the U.S. southern border. The presence of special interest migrants and the reported sponsorship network highlight the complexities of managing immigration and ensuring border security.